Around Town 20 • Scene 22

Scene Snapshots of note from places and events in the Arlington/Mansfeld/Grand Prairie area

Ashworth Elementary celebrates Ashworth Elementary celebrates International Day of Peace International Day of Peace

Photo: City of Arlington Ashworth Elementary, alongside members of the south Arlington community, celebrated International Day of Peace with decorative pinwheels.

St. Joseph Catholic School St. Joseph Catholic School First Responder Appreciation Day First Responder Appreciation Day

St. Joseph Catholic School said a big "Thank You!" to some local heroes during the school's annual First Responder Appreciation Day last month.

Photos courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic School

The 20th anniversary commemoration The 20th anniversary commemoration of 9/11 at the Levitt Pavilion of 9/11 at the Levitt Pavilion

Photos courtesy of Richard Greene (Left) Lee Greenwood, the headline performer at the concert, entertains the patriotic crowd at the Levitt Pavilion; (center) Richard Greene visits with 96-year-old WWII veteran Don Graves, a survivor of the battle at Iwo Jima, who sang God Bless America at the opening of the event; (right) The crowd at the event enjoyed a meaningful and entertaining program.

Arlington Urban Ministries Arlington Urban Ministries Boots, Chaps & Cowboy Hats 2021 Boots, Chaps & Cowboy Hats 2021

Thaddeus and Brittany Qualls Beth Owens, Susan Mackey, Doyle Mackey and Joe Owens

Jane Svehlak

WHEN OUR FAMILY EXPERIENCED SIMULTANEOUS HEALTH CRISES for both of our parents, the Alzheimer’s

Association was one of my key resources for information when time was both limited and critical. Inspired to help others going through what I went through – and fortifed with the valuable education I received from the

Alzheimer's Association, last year I informally organized a handful of neighborhood friends to join me to walk in memory of loved ones. It meant the world to me when I met other neighbors that shared a similar care-giving experience within their families. Our Viridian Residents Association learned of our eforts and volunteered to support growing our participation this year by partnering with the North Central Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Viridian is hosting a neighborhood specifc walk Nov. 20th with formal sponsorship. Viridian is also hosting a monthly positive care-giving education series for neighbors leading into the neighborhood walk on

Nov. 20th. Featured topics will include: "The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's;" "Understanding Alzheimer's & Dementia;" and "Efective Communication." Neighbors may join the Viridian Walk to END Alzheimer’s and monthly education series by registering through the

Viridian Residents Association website (viridiandfw.com/viridian-homeowners-association) or through links provided in the newsletter. I want other neighbors to better understand the signs a loved one is struggling and understand what memory loss feels like so they can be more patient and understanding throughout their loved one’s journey. We’ve all heard the quote, "you may not remember what someone said, but you will always remember how they made you feel" This is especially true with Alzheimer’s or any memory disease. A 2014 study by researchers at the University of Iowa published in Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology found the emotional lives for Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients continue, even as memory fades. The report sites that caregivers' actions really do matter, and that frequent visits, social interactions, exercise, music, dance, jokes and WHY I TAKE THE WALK being able to enjoy favorite foods “can all have a lasting emotional impact on a patient’s quality of life and subjective well-being.” TO END ALZHEIMER'S By helping to provide resources to neighbors, I am hoping the accessibility to this education will make it possible for more families to get the understanding and support they need, better By Jane Svehlak enabling them to provide the best care and most love for their family members. You’ll never regret doing the right thing, and you’ll always regret not doing so. By providing access to this education, it will help families to know they did the right thing more easily while providing the beneft of building a community of support with other families. I believe I am meant to fnd ways to help others fnd their way through the care-giving journey by sharing what I have learned. I plan to write a book and blog from the perspective of a family member navigating this path. In the end, the best we can do is the best we know how. The more we learn, the better we can hope our outcome will be.

There are so many blessings that can be encountered along this path.